The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-07-09

. ally locks up his studio when he goes out. Can't you call another day and see it?"'
 "Oh, yes," answered Mir. Zerubbabel "but as Pm here, I may as well tell you of the offer I am willing to make"
 Mrs. Megilp's pretty face beamed with joy at the idea of arranging matters with the money lender. It would be such a delightful surprise for Michael Angelo when he came home to find that the tiresome busi- ness of the bill of sale had been brought to satisfactory conclusion during his absence.
 "Mr. Megilp wants to get back his bill of sale on this furniture?" began MT. Zerubbabel, with circular sweep of the hands towards the contents of the room.
 "Y-yes," breathed poor Madge with a shiver, for she thought the odious man looked as if he would like to carry off her household goods there and then. All the brightness went out of her face and she grew quite pale.
 "Well, of course my expenses in connection with this bill have been heavy-very heavy, and my loss, if let it be paid off at once, will be great very great; in fact, one hundred pounds will barely put me straight" j" said MT. Zerubbabel in business like tone. "That added to the two hun dred pounds MT. Megilp borrowed of me last year makes three hundred pounds. Now, Pll make him this of fer: Pll give him check for twenty five pounds, and send him back the bill of sale in consideration of his Academy picture-the big one, mind, l mean-becoming my property"
 "The picture has been valued at five hundred pounds" put in Mrs. Megilp timidly.
 "Oh, has it? By you and MT. Me gilp, l suppose! Well, I ain't going to give that. What have offered is as good as three hundred and twenty five pounds-an uncommonly high price, let me tell you, ma'am for a picture by an unknown artist"
 "Every one says that my husband is one of the rising artists of the day. exclaimed Mrs. Megilp, firing up.
 "Oh, they all are" retorted Mir. Zerubbabel, rising. "Still, you had better think over my offer, and tell MT. Megilp what have said. I'll call round ill day or two to see the pie ture, when you can let me have a definite answer"
 And MT. Zerubbabel took up his hat and bowed and grinned himself out, leaving the indignant little woman to think over matters in general, and the matter of the bill of sale in par- ticular.
 When Michael Angelo came in, she told of the Jews visit and the propos- ition he had made.
 "He has changed his mind pretty quickly" remarked Megilp. "This morning he would have nothing to say to my proposal. Besides, twenty five pounds is very little to get in hard cash, so I shall certainly wait for a few days befere 1 decide. Carper promised to speak good word for me to a dealer he knowe."
 A day or two afterwards MT. Abi- ram Levi presented himself at Megilp's studio, and found the artist putting a few final touches to "Chloe Counting Her Chickens" He surveyed the pie ture attentively for some minutes, and then, turning to Michael Angelo, he blandly offered him 100 pounds for it.
 "Why, Pve had the offer of as good as 325 pounds for it already" ex- claimed the artist indignantly.
 MT. Levi pricked up his ears.
 "Hullo! somebody has got the start of me-" he thought ruefully. "Who the deuce can it be?"
 "Well, l don't mind giving you 15O pounds for it-and perhaps you've something else it may suit me to buy $ he said, with a glance round the studio. "What's this!" he added, going up to a large picture, very handsomely framed, but turned with its face to the wall.
 "A-a picture sent in to Burling- ton ffOuse last year, put It wasn't ac- cepted," stammered Michael Angelo.
 "Humph! 1 don't wonder. Whats the name of it?" went on the dealer, reading the legend inscribed on the frame, Margaret Mending Her Stock ings." "No, that won't suit me: it's a big, ugly thing, and shockingly raw. You've done better work since"
 "All of which is sold," interrupted Megilp, in huffed tone, except this little thing-'Sour Grapes"
 "But again the dealer shook his head, and took his stand before the easel on which stood .Chloe."
 "Pll give you 800 pounds for it." he said at last.
 Michael Angelo hesitated. He would rather Levi had the picture than